AssetID: 55694473
Headline: Dramatic moment US Coast Guard opens fire on boat carrying $45.8m of cocaine
Caption: This is the dramatic moment US authorities opened fire on a fleeing speedboat carrying cocaine worth an estimated $45.8 million. The crew aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma intercepted three suspected smuggling vessels on May 8 around 90 miles off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia. Officials said the traffickers were transporting around 6,085 pounds of cocaine - the equivalent to roughly 2.3 million potentially deadly doses destined for American streets. Video released by the US Coast Guard shows a helicopter crew using “aerial use of force” tactics to stop the fleeing vessel, firing precision shots at its engines to bring it to a halt. The tactic proved successful, with the suspected smugglers abandoning the boat and jumping into the sea moments later. Coast Guard officials said aircrew immediately dropped flotation devices into the water before all individuals were rescued safely. No injuries were reported. The dramatic takedown involved the Tahoma deploying two small interceptor boats alongside a specialist helicopter crew trained in maritime drug interdictions. Authorities said all three vessels were intercepted simultaneously in a highly coordinated operation. Cmdr. Nolan Cuevas, commanding officer of the Tahoma, praised the actions of his crew following the seizure. He said: “Interdicting three vessels simultaneously is a testament to the unwavering professionalism, precision, and dedication of our crews. “This operation prevented a significant amount of illegal drugs from reaching our shores.” The cocaine seized forms part of a wider narcotics haul expected to be offloaded at Port Everglades. In total, the Coast Guard said the Tahoma crew will unload approximately 8,185 pounds of narcotics worth an estimated $61.6 million.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,US Coast Guard,drug bust,cocaine seizure,narco boat,aerial use of force,Cartagena,Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma,drug interdiction,smuggling operation,helicopter pursuit,Port Everglades,cocaine trafficking,maritime crime,USCG video,Caribbean drug route
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